Draco's father verbally abused him since he was a child. However, when Draco fails to kill Dumbledore, Lucius begins to make his son's life a living hell. After weeks of torture, Draco is left to die in the Malfoy Mansion dungeon.

When Hermione is locked away in the dungeon, the last person she expects to find is Malfoy. The resourceful witch is able to escape with Malfoy. After nursing him back to health, Hermione receives unexpected gratitude in return.